JP2007151074A - Volume adjustment device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a volume adjustment device which is provided with power switches 11 and 13 capable of setting silent, and of starting in a silent state by a predetermined operation of the power switches 11 and 13 capable of setting silent. <P>SOLUTION: In a volume adjustment device of an AV device which can be used for an AV device vocalizing voice information and displaying image information, and can operate a volume adjustment and a selection of a display image by an operating remote control 12, the operating remote control 12 is provided with a power switch 13 which can be set silent, and when power is activated by operating the power switch 13 which can be set silent "ON" for several seconds upon power activation of the AV device, the AV device is started with a silent state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a volume control device, and more particularly to an audio / visual device (hereinafter referred to as an AV device) such as a television receiver or a video tape recorder, and when the device is turned on, The present invention relates to a volume control apparatus that prevents a loud sound from being uttered from an AV apparatus.

  In general, when an AV apparatus such as a television receiver is turned off once, the volume adjustment apparatus is maintained at a set volume value immediately before the power is turned off while the power is turned off. When the power is turned on again and activated, the volume of the set volume value at the last last use is uttered from the AV device.

  In this case, if the set volume value of the activated AV device is a volume setting that does not greatly disturb the surrounding environmental conditions where the AV device is installed, there is almost no problem. If the volume is set to a relatively high level and the loud sound emitted from the AV device causes trouble for neighboring people and disturbs the surrounding environmental conditions, something about the AV device It is necessary to take measures to limit the volume.

  In order to solve such a point, several AV devices have already been proposed that incorporate sound volume adjusting means for preventing a loud sound from being emitted when the AV device is turned on. Are an electronic volume control device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-093056 (Patent Document 1), a display device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-184310 (Patent Document 2), and a television disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-275062. There are a receiver (Patent Document 3), a volume control device for an AV apparatus disclosed in Utility Model Registration No. 3095381 (Patent Document 4), and the like.

  Here, the electronic volume control device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-093056 (Patent Document 1) sets the voicing volume immediately after the AV device is turned on and activated to the mute state, and the power is turned on. When a predetermined time has passed, the mute state setting is canceled and the set volume is uttered. Before the volume is uttered, the set volume value of the AV device is set. A volume adjustment switch that is displayed on the screen and changes the setting to an appropriate volume value suitable for the current environment while observing the set volume value displayed on the screen is provided.

  Also, the display device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-184310 (Patent Document 2) silences the voicing volume immediately after turning on the AV device, and a predetermined time has elapsed since turning on the power. At this time, the voice is uttered in a state where the volume is sequentially increased and finally the set volume value of the AV apparatus is set, or the set volume value is reset, and the remaining time in the silent state is set. Means for displaying on the display screen is included.

  Furthermore, the television receiver disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-275062 (Patent Document 3) sets the voicing volume immediately after turning on the power of the television receiver to a mute state, and mutes when the mute state is set. When the release command is input, the mute setting is canceled and the volume is uttered according to the set volume value, or when a predetermined time elapses after the power is turned on, the voicing volume gradually increases. It becomes higher, and finally the volume is emitted according to the set volume value.

In addition, the AV device volume adjustment device disclosed in Utility Model Registration No. 3095381 (Patent Document 4) is provided with a power key (power switch) and a mute key (mute switch) in the AV device, and the mute key is turned on. When the power key is turned on after the operation, the voicing volume is muted at the start of the operation of the AV device, and when the mute key is turned on and then the power key is turned off, a predetermined time elapses. When the power key is not turned on, the mute of the AV device is released. The power supply indicator lamp is turned on within a predetermined time to notify that the mute state is released, and the mute key is turned on. If the volume adjustment key is operated after the It is intended to include the means.
JP 09-093056 A JP 2000-184310 A JP 2001-275062 A Utility Model Registration No. 3095381

  By the way, the electronic volume control device according to Patent Document 1 is turned on after turning on the power switch of the AV device in which the electronic volume control device is mounted, and then a certain time has elapsed since the power was turned on. The sound output volume from the AV device is silenced until a certain time elapses until a certain time elapses. When the power is turned on, a high volume sound is output from the AV device. Although it can be avoided, the setting operation is difficult when you want to emit a specified volume when turning on the power, or when you want to set the silent state immediately after turning on the power to be longer or shorter than a certain time. While the AV device is set to the silent state, while watching the set volume value displayed on the screen, operate the volume adjustment switch to change the setting to a volume value suitable for the situation. Therefore, not only does the user need to perform the setting operation of the volume adjustment switch, but it is necessary to provide a separate display means for displaying the set volume value on the screen. It becomes expensive.

  In addition, the display device according to Patent Document 2 makes the sound output volume of the AV device silent after the AV device on which the display device is mounted is turned on until a predetermined time elapses after the power is turned on. After the time elapses, the sound is gradually increased in volume, and finally the AV device volume value is set to the set value, or the volume value is reset by the user. Although it is possible to avoid loud sound from the AV device when the power is turned on, if you want to utter a specified volume when the power is turned on, or silence immediately after the power is turned on When it is necessary to set the state longer than a certain time or when it is desired to set it shorter, it is necessary for the user to perform the setting operation, and the remaining time in the silent state is required. Since it is necessary to separately provide a display means for displaying on the display screen, that amount, the manufacturing cost becomes expensive.

  Furthermore, in the television receiver according to Patent Document 3, after the power is turned on, the sound output volume of the television receiver is set to a silent state until a certain time elapses from the time when the power is turned on. Speaks with the volume increased, and finally the volume value set in the television receiver is set, or when the user inputs a silent state cancellation command, the silent state is canceled and the set volume value Although it is possible to prevent loud sound from being emitted from the television receiver when the power is turned on, if you want to emit a specified volume when the power is turned on, If you want to set the silent state immediately after turning on the power longer than a certain time, you cannot make such a setting, and the silent state immediately after turning on the power However, when it is necessary to set a short time, it is necessary to input a silence cancellation command within a short period of time, so it takes time for the user to perform the setting operation, and sometimes the setting operation is performed in a busy state. I have to.

  Further, in the volume adjusting device of the AV apparatus according to Patent Document 4, when the AV apparatus is provided with a power key (power switch) and a mute key (mute switch), and the power key is turned on after the mute key is turned on, the AV apparatus When the power key is turned off after the mute key is turned on after the mute key is turned on, the AV device is unmuted if the power key is not turned on even after a predetermined time has elapsed. In this case, the power indicator lamp is turned on within a predetermined time to notify the cancellation of the mute state. When the volume adjustment key is operated after the mute key is turned on, the mute state is released and the volume adjustment key is released. The volume of the sound is adjusted according to the adjustment of the sound, and the sound of the loud sound from the AV device is avoided when the power is turned on. Although it is difficult to understand the functions when operating the two operation keys, the power key and mute key, and there is a direct relationship between the function that the user wants to obtain and the operation of the two operation keys. Therefore, when realizing the function that the user wants to obtain by operating the two operation keys, it is difficult for a person who is not skilled to some extent to perform the predetermined function.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a technical background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power switch that can be silently set, and to immediately silence the power switch that can be silently set by performing a predetermined operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a volume control device that can be activated in a state.

  In order to achieve the above object, a volume control device according to the present invention includes an operation remote controller and is used in an AV device that utters voice information and displays video information, and can be set to silence on the operation remote controller. And a first means for starting the AV device in a silent state when the AV device is turned on by turning on the power switch that can be set to silence for a few seconds. .

  In order to achieve the above object, a volume control device according to the present invention includes an operation remote controller and is used in an AV device that utters audio information and displays video information. Both of the operation remote controls are provided with a power switch that can be silently set. When the AV apparatus is turned on, when the power switch is turned on by turning on any of the power switches that can be silently set for several seconds, the AV apparatus is silent. Second means activated in the state.

  In this case, the power switch that can be set silently in the first and second means is a direct operation type switch, and the power switch of the AV apparatus can be turned on only once for several seconds by turning on the power switch that can be set silently for several seconds. Is activated, the AV apparatus is activated in a silent state only by the operation.

  The AV apparatus in the first and second means only displays video information on the AV apparatus when the AV apparatus is turned on by turning on one of the silence setting power switches for several seconds. Is to be done.

  As described above, according to the sound volume adjusting apparatus of the first aspect, the operation remote control is provided with the power switch that can be set silently, and the power switch that can be set silently is turned on for several seconds. When the power is turned on, the AV device is activated in the silent state. If you want to activate the AV device in the silent state, just turn on the power switch that can be set to silence on the remote control for a few seconds. This AV device can be used immediately without checking the current volume setting value of the AV device, and even in the early morning or late at night, the company lobby or hospital This AV apparatus can be used freely even in a quiet environment such as a waiting room.

  Further, according to the volume control device of the second aspect, the power switch that can be set silently is provided on both the main body of the AV apparatus and the operation remote controller, and one of the power switches that can be set silently is turned on for several seconds. When the AV device is turned on, the AV device is activated in the silent state. If you want to activate the AV device in the silent state, you can set the silent switch on the operation remote control or the AV device itself. By simply turning on the power switch for a few seconds alone, it becomes possible to immediately use this AV device without bothering the surroundings and confirming the current volume setting value of the AV device. This AV apparatus can be used freely even in early morning or late night, even in a quiet environment such as a company lobby or hospital waiting room.

  Further, according to the volume control device of claim 3, the silent setting power switch used for the AV apparatus is a direct operation type switch, and the silent setting power switch is turned on for one second. Thus, when the AV apparatus is turned on, the AV apparatus can be activated in a silent state only by its operation. In addition to the effect obtained by the first or second aspect, the operability is excellent. There is an effect that it is possible to obtain a volume control device having

  According to the volume control device of the fourth aspect, even if the AV device displays the video information together with the sound information, the silent setting of either the main body of the AV device or the operation remote controller is performed. When the AV device is turned on by independently turning on a possible power switch for several seconds, the AV device is activated in a silent state, and at the same time, only video information is displayed on the AV device. Alternatively, in addition to the effect obtained by the second aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to immediately grasp the information content reproduced by the AV apparatus by displaying the video information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an AV apparatus (audio / visual apparatus) equipped with a volume control apparatus according to the present invention, and is a block circuit diagram showing the configuration of the main part thereof. The example which is a machine is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the television receiver includes a tuner 1, a video output circuit 2, an audio output circuit 3, a control unit 4, a power source 5, a remote control signal receiving unit 6, and a volume control unit. 7, a video display unit 8, a sound generator 9, a receiving antenna 10, a silent-settable power switch 11 provided on the main body side of the television receiver, and an accessory provided to the television receiver. An operation remote control 12 is included. In this case, the operation remote control 12 is provided with a power switch (switch button) 13 that can be set silently on the operation surface, and various operation buttons such as a plurality of channel selection buttons that are not shown in the drawing are also provided. Is provided.

  The tuner 1 has an input end connected to the receiving antenna 10, a first output end connected to the input end of the video output circuit 2, and a second output end connected to the input end of the audio output circuit 3. The output terminal of the video output circuit 2 is connected to the video display unit 8, and the output terminal of the audio output circuit 3 is connected to the sound generator 9. The control unit 4 is connected to the control end of the tuner 1, the control end of the video output circuit 2, the output end of the remote control signal receiving unit 6, and the control input end of the volume control unit 7. The remote control signal receiving unit 6 is connected to the operation remote controller 12 at the input end, and receives a remote control signal from the operation remote control 12 at the input end. The volume control unit 7 has a control end connected to the control end of the audio output circuit 3. The silent power switch 11 is provided on the main body side of the television receiver and is connected between the control unit 4 and the power source 5.

  In this case, the silent setting power switch 11 provided on the main body side of the television receiver and the silent setting power switch 13 provided on the operation remote controller 12 are respectively turned on and off. ) A direct operation type switch that can be operated, and when the controller is turned on for a short time (for example, about 1 second) as in the case of a normal power switch, and when it is turned on for a few seconds. 4, when the control unit 4 determines that the former ON operation has been performed, the control unit 4 determines that the volume control unit 7 is set to the same volume setting as before and the latter ON operation has been performed. If so, the volume control unit 7 is set to a silent state.

  Next, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation history of the volume control device installed in the television receiver shown in FIG.

  Here, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the operation history executed by the volume control device shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In the following description, the state when the user operates the silent power switch 13 provided on the operation surface of the operation remote controller 12 will be described as an example.

  First, in step S1, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the power switch 13 that can be set to silence is turned on, and the duration of the on operation is a time exceeding several seconds, for example, 5 seconds. When it is determined that the duration of the ON operation of the silent setting power switch 13 has already exceeded several seconds (Y), the process proceeds to the next step S2, while the ON operation of the silent setting power switch 13 is performed. When it is determined that the process has been completed within a few seconds (N), the process proceeds to another step S3.

  Next, when the control unit 4 detects in step S2 that the duration of the ON operation of the silence setting power switch 13 is several seconds, for example, a time exceeding 5 seconds, the control unit 4 The setting is changed to the silent state, and the output volume of the audio output circuit 3 is set to zero based on the setting change. In this state, when the television receiver is activated by turning on the power switch 13, an image is displayed on the image display unit 8, but the sound output from the sound generator 9 is silent. Become.

  On the other hand, in step S3, the control unit 4 detects that the on operation of the silence setting power switch 13 is completed without exceeding a few seconds and the same switch operation as the normal power switch on operation is detected. 4 sets the volume control unit 7 to the same volume setting as before, and sets the output volume of the audio output circuit 3 based on the volume setting. In this state, when the television receiver is activated by turning on the power switch 13, not only the video is displayed on the video display unit 8, but also the sound is output from the voice output unit 9 at the preset volume. Is voiced.

  Subsequently, in step S4, when the control unit 4 detects that the silence setting power switch 13 has been turned off, the television receiver is turned off and the operation of the television receiver is stopped. When the power of the television receiver is turned off, this series of flowcharts is completed.

  In this case, the flowchart does not include a volume change process for changing the previous volume setting state (silent state or already set volume setting state) to another volume setting state. When it is desired to change the volume of the television receiver, it is possible to change the volume setting by inserting and connecting a volume change process in the corresponding part of the flowchart, for example, immediately before step S4.

  Further, in the flowchart, the state when the silent power supply switch 13 provided on the operation surface of the operation remote controller 12 is operated is described as an example, but the state is provided in the main body of the television receiver. When the power switch 11 capable of silent setting is operated, the same operation history as that when the power switch 13 capable of silent setting is operated can be achieved.

  In the embodiment, the power switches 11 and 13 that can be set to be silent have been described as examples provided in the main body of the television receiver and the operation remote controller 12. Even if the power switch 13 that can be set silently is provided and the main body of the television receiver is provided with a normal power switch, if the power switch 13 that can be set silently of the operation remote controller 12 is used, the power switch 13 described above can be used. It is possible to achieve the same operation history as the operation history of.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the AV apparatus is a television receiver has been described. However, the AV apparatus to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a television receiver. As long as it is an AV device or various audio equipment that can utter and display video, it can be similarly applied to other equipment such as a video tape recorder (VTR).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an AV apparatus equipped with a volume control apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation history of a volume control device installed in the television receiver shown in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tuner 2 Video | video output circuit 3 Audio | voice output circuit 4 Control part 5 Power supply 6 Remote control signal receiving part 7 Volume control part 8 Image | video display part 9 Sound generator 10 Receiving antenna 11 Power supply switch 11 Silent setting 12 Operation remote control 13 Silent setting possibility Power switch (switch button)

Claims (6)

A volume control device for an audio / visual device that is used in an audio / visual device that utters voice information and displays video information, and that can be operated at least by volume control and selection of a display video by the operation remote control. The audio / visual device is provided with a silent switch, and when the audio / visual device is turned on, the audio / visual device is activated in a silent state when the power switch is turned on by turning on the silent switch for several seconds. A volume control device characterized by causing the sound volume to be adjusted. A volume control device for an audio / visual device that is used in an audio / visual device that utters voice information and displays video information, and that can be operated at least by volume control and selection of display video by an operation remote controller. Both the main body of the apparatus and the remote controller for operation are provided with a power switch that can be silently set, and when the audio / visual apparatus is turned on, any one of the power switches that can be silenced is turned on for several seconds. A volume control device that activates the audio-visual device in a silent state when the power is turned on. The volume control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the silent switch is a direct operation type switch. 4. The sound volume adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the audio / visual device only displays video information when activated in a silent state. 5. The sound volume adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the audio / visual device is a television receiver. 5. The volume control device according to claim 1, wherein the audio / visual device is a video tape recorder.

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